Victims, viewers suffer nightmares of terror attack

RELIVING HORROR: Neil Isaac and Prakash Bangera still find the sound of bullets echoing in their ears

ibnlive.com is on mobile now. Read news, watch videos
be a Citizen Journalist. Log on to m.ibnlive.com NOW!

Related Stories

• Post terror attack, specialists do psychological healing

• Mumbai gears up for marathon; 3,60,000 register

• Israeli hostages fell to NSG commandos' bullets?

Top Headlines

Top Videos

Most Popular

• Company didn't know of Raju's fraud: CEO 

• Raju in Hyderabad, won't flee: lawyer | BSE to drop Satyam 

• Satyam CFO quits | 8 subsidiaries under scanner 

• Satyam assures clients, says 'business as usual' 

• Prime accused in Guwahati serial blasts shot dead 

• Pak agencies okayed Kasab confirmation: Sacked NSA 

• US envoy in Mumbai, not happy with Pak steps 

• Watch: Pranab indicates Rahul ready to be next PM 

• Sanjay Dutt to fight Lok Sabha polls from Lucknow 

• IOC warns of petrol, LPG shortage as strike continues 

• Sacked Pak NSA reiterates Kasab's a Pakistani 

• Indian offensive pays off, Kasab is a Pakistani 

• Army, J-K Police probe deaf and dumb man's killing 

• How Satyam shocker hits investors, employees 

• BJP avoids Advani vs Shekhawat battle before polls 

• Watch: Dhakka Do, an ode in memory of 26/11 victims 

• Control Z, save India's IT from corporate monsters 

• Watch: Bollywood celebs' fashion faux pa 

• Konkona on The President... and Luck By Chance 

• Kites is not about erotism: Anurag Basu 

• Where is Ramalinga Raju? | Satyam faces lawsuit in US 

• Company didn't know of Raju's fraud: CEO 

• Satyam assures clients, says 'business as usual' 

• Sacked Pak NSA reiterates Kasab's a Pakistani 

• Satyam faces lawsuit in New York court 

• India says all options open to dismantle terror groups 

• Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren loses Tamar by-poll 

• Satyam CFO quits | 8 subsidiaries under scanner 

• Mumbai-like attack could happen in US: Bush aide 

• IOC warns of petrol, LPG shortage as strike continues 

Photogallery

Find us on Facebook | Join IBNLive community

Stay ahead with G-Talk Buddy | Click now!

Mumbai: The NSG ended the crisis after 60 hours of hold-up by terrorists. The hostages and victims who went through the trauma now recollect and relive the horror.

Psychologists say it will take much longer to flush out the terror from the minds of Mumbaikars. Neil Isaac, one of the chefs of the Taj came out alive from the hostage crisis, but feels like life has changed completely after the fateful Wednesday attack.

He narrates how his wife would be in tears as she waited for him to return. While the mother watched television for news of a breakthrough in the crisis and prayed, their 4-year-old son asked his mother, "Mummy, is Papa dead or what?"

Neil's grateful to the rescuers that he is back. But feels scarred for life.

Terror made Mumbaikars feel the heat of the warzone. Dr Jitendra Nagpal said, "A Mumbaikar was going through fear, anger, helplessness."

While the commandos won the physical battle, the emotional aftermath is only beginning to be felt.

Dr Amit Sen said, "Some people react immediately but for some it may take days, or months for the trauma to set in."

The most vulnerable will be the elderly and children.

Dr Jitendra Nagpal added adults should not rub their anxieties on them but instead talk it out.

It wasn't just Mumbai that was affected.People across the country simply could not switch off their TV sets for the three days and nights.

Dr Jitendra Nagpal said that watching television was a way to stay connecting to the unfolding crisis and the viewers sought relief in the victory of the forces.

Rescued hostages themselves are going through a painful period of healing.

Taj's staff member Prakash Bangera's eyes welled up with tears when he recounted, "I had never experienced anything like this in real life."

Doctors advise that when victims feel like weeping, they must be allowed to do so. It is detrimental to try and suppress their emotions.

Recovery and resumption of normal life is a long drawn out process but a journey worth taking, say psychologists.